This dynamic experience is designed to bring typical youth and those with
differences together to create a combined performance. Young adults with
disabilities teach dance numbers and routines to 10 typical students from the
student, or organization, body that have been pre-selected.
The D.A.Z.L. Troupe members come to the school or organization for two teaching
sessions. They work with the students for two, 2-hour sessions a week apart.
Students are given training materials including a dvd to practice on their own.
The students are given entering and exiting questionnaires to determine outcomes.
They are questioned at the beginning of the experience regarding their knowledge
of and extent of exposure to people with disabilities. The exiting questionnaire helps
to determine the effectiveness of the event as a teaching tool and way of opening up
conversations and experiences for further involvement with people with differences.
Students involved with the performance will write essays about what they learned by
working with the troupe and how it has changed their lives for the better. At the final
assembly/concert, the troupe members will give talks about their lives, and the
typical students will give their talks about how they have been impacted by the
association.
The concert shows what a community of kindness and inclusion looks like with all of
the diverse people working together on a common project. It shows that we are not
so different and when we decide to work together many great things can happen. It
breaks down barriers and creates a new environment for acceptance and embracing
those with differences. It shows what people can do when given opportunities and
when someone believes in them.
The concert consists of singing and dancing in celebration of life. There is a variety
of material, including numbers from musicals, as well as , popular music such as hip
hop. Students are taught sign-language to music creating sensitivity and
awareness to the fact that we may need to learn new skills and adapt to include all
people.